Genderdoc-M members hope for more protection in 2013

The members of the Information Center Genderdoc-M hope that in 2013 people with non-traditional sexual orientation will be more protected thanks to the new law on ensuring equality and that in 2013 there will be fewer cases of discrimination because people will realize that discrimination affects not only those discriminated, but also the wallet of those who discriminate, Info-Prim Neo reports. Lobby and Advocacy program coordinator Angela Frolov told the press that the law coming into effect in 2013 isn’t perfect. “According to international acts, hate crimes must be punished harsher because they can lead to negative changes in a state based on the rule of law”. The Center’s lawyer Doina Ioana-Straisteanu said that sexual minorities want to solve their problems in Moldovan courts, not at the ECHR. “We think we’ve reached that stage in democracy when the rule of law can overcome situations in which some people think themselves above the law”. In 2012, Genderdoc-M won three cases in national courts and one at the ECHR. Four other files are being examined in national courts. These are initiated against Vitalie Marian, Bishop of Balti and Falesti Markel, Fiodor Ghelici and against the Balti Municipal Council. Genderdoc-M director Anastasia Danilova said that no decision was taken yet regarding the LGBT parade in 2013, but she didn’t rule out the possibility. “If we’ll want to organize a public action, we’ll be able to. The City Hall already lost the case for not issuing an authorization for us”. In June, the Parliament adopted the Law on Ensuring Equality, also known as the Antidiscrimination Law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2013.